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PACAF Command Chief visits Andersen

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Brian Bahret
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Visiting bases is the most direct means the Pacific Air Forces' command chief has to communicate with PACAF Airmen and families, whether it's to listen to their concerns or to deliver messages from Air Force leadership.

PACAF Command Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Bishop visited Andersen April 1 to 3 to see firsthand some of the challenges and issues Team Andersen experiences on a daily basis and to let them know their efforts don't go unnoticed.

With assets like the B-2 Spirit bomber and the F-22A Raptor fighter deployed here, a contingency response group poised for contingency and humanitarian response and military airlift on hand to deliver supplies and military personnel anywhere in the world, Andersen plays an important role in the Pacific theater.

"Andersen takes on a lion's share of the work being done in the Pacific theater," he said. "I want to thank you for your service and as a Total Force partner in the Pacific and a great wing in the PACAF," he said. "You are heroes in the eyes of [Gen. Carrol Chandler, PACAF commander] and in the eyes of the Air Force."

While much of Chief Bishop's time was spent with the Airmen, he said the families who support them are equally as important to the Air Force's mission.

"I recognize the service and sacrifice of the families," he said. "It's easy for us to train and to deploy and focus on the mission, but it's very difficult for the families to stay at home. Not one of us could do our deployed mission without the love and support of our family members."

As the command chief, the 28-year veteran is responsible for leading the 35,000 Total Force enlisted men and women of Pacific Air Forces and advising the PACAF commander on all matters affecting the training, development and effective utilization of the enlisted force. He also coordinates with the headquarters staff, commanders, and senior personnel on administration and implementation of command policy.

In March, PACAF centralized fitness testing under base health and wellness centers. Chief Bishop visited Andersen's HAWC to evaluate how the staff implemented PACAF's centralized fitness assessment program.

To emphasize the priority PACAF places on fitness, the command chief also participated in a physical training session with the 36th Contingency
Response Group April 3.

Despite his extensive schedule, the chief makes fitness a high priority.
"As leaders, we have the responsibility to exceed the standards we expect our Airmen to meet," Chief Bishop said.

Chief Bishop's visit also included meetings with Andersen's chief master sergeants, first sergeants and Airmen to discuss issues that impact them.

"I talk with airmen and (noncommissioned officers) to understand their issues at the micro level," Chief Bishop said. He met with the base chief master sergeants and first sergeants to learn the cumulative effect of those issues on the Airmen.

As an example, when Airmen expressed concern about the comfort of the physical training uniform, the Air Force took action by exploring new options.

While working out with the 36th CRG, the chief wore a prototype of the Air
Force's next generation fitness uniform.

"I've tested this new fitness gear and it's better than anything in the past," he said. "I think this will be greatly appreciated by all of our Airmen."

While the uniform's being tested now, it will take time for the Air Force to produce it. He said Airmen should start looking for the new uniform late in
2010.

As in the case with the new fitness uniform, "the Air Force listened to the feedback in the field and acted on it," said Chief Bishop. He said he'll use the information he learned here, and from similar visits to other bases, to determine what issues impact Airmen and their families across the command and he'll work with the Air Force leadership to resolve them.

"When we're all on the same sheet, there's nothing we can't solve for the
Air Force, for PACAF or for Andersen," said Chief Bishop.